Anna Bentson Email & Phone Number

Lynchburg, Va, Us

Lynchburg, Virginia, United States

As the Director of Communications & Public Engagement, I provide strategic guidance and oversight to a team of media, communications, and multimedia service professionals; creating and administering the City communication plan to promote City initiatives, foster a culture of engagement, maximize communications resources, and ensure a unified city message.

Lynchburg, Virginia Area

As the Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Lynchburg my responsibilities include marketing and communications for both economic development and tourism functions, managing entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, and coordinating business development and visitation for the Office of Economic Development & Tourism and the Economic Development Authority to position the City for destination development and economic investment. In this role, I directly supervise all communications, branding, media/public relations and digital marketing for the department, as well as city-wide special events and administrative support. I regularly write reports and present to the media, business and tourism stakeholders, City leadership, Economic Development Authority and City Council.Visit our websites at www.lynchburgvirginia.org (tourism) and www.opportunitylynchburg.com (economic development).

I led one of Virginia’s largest Main Street organizations whose mission is to identify opportunities and develop resources that position and sustain downtown and the riverfront as a vital economic, cultural, historic, recreational and residential center for the City of Lynchburg and the region. As the Executive Director, I worked with an 18-member Board of Directors to develop a strategic vision for the organization and oversee and coordinate an aggressive scope of work implemented by a small staff with strong volunteer participation. I managed an annual budget of $500,000, securing more than $200,000 each year in corporate sponsorships, grants and private investment while strengthening partnerships with all downtown stakeholders including retail merchants, service businesses, the hospitality industry, restaurants, residents, property owners, nonprofit organizations, and the City of Lynchburg. We participated in full partnership with downtown economic development initiatives including existing business development and retention, support of public/private partnerships, and cultivation of private investment. I also managed multiple large-scale events to showcase Lynchburg and fundraise for the organization, maintaining high standards of customer service with vendors, sponsors, and attendees and increasing attendance to all major events over three years.

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest is the retreat home of Thomas Jefferson. As the Director of Marketing & Public Relations I was solely responsible for conceptualizing and implementing all marketing, public relations and tourism strategies to promote the retreat, a National Historic Landmark, regionally, nationally and internationally. I served as the primary contact and source for the media and developed and executed all advertising and promotional campaigns for activities, programs and events. During my tenure I managed the redesign and launch of new organizational website and implemented the organization's first social media functions. One of the highlights of my work at Poplar Forest was to serve as the creative force and coordinator for the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival, generating more than $45k in revenue in its first two years.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

In this role, I cultivated relationships and pitched national, regional and trade media to ensure that media report frequently and accurately on the value of museums. I managed media for annual conferences in Indianapolis, Boston, and Chicago and briefed leadership on sensitive issues in preparation for interviews. I also represented AAM’s advocacy and communications functions at Congressional hearings and to related organizations.

United States Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC) As an LC, I was responsible for constituent correspondence regarding education, health, and welfare. I assisted press secretary with media inquiries, press releases, speeches and press events and managed the Senator’s website.

Ba, History, Southern Studies

Phi Beta Kappa South Carolina Honors College

Certificate, Economic Development Institute

Ma, Nonprofit Leadership Studies, Nonprofit Leadership

Certificate In Creative Cities And Economic Development, Initiative For Creativity And Innovation In Cities

Education record